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Post 101 presents check to PGR |
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For years the Patriot Guard Riders have been supporting send off's, homecomings, memorials and ceremonies at Ft. Carson, Peterson AFB, AFA, and all the other installations in Colorado Springs as well as the VA programs locally. In recognition of their support for our troops, VFW Post 101 presented them with a check for $250.00 to help offset the cost of the materials that they use and for the purchase of additional US Flags.
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Terry Mullins, Senior Vice Commander Post 101, presents a check to Ted Malone, President of the Colorado Springs Chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR). |
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During the last few months, more that 2100 soldiers have returned to Ft. Carson from Afghanistan and Iraq and our Post Surgeon, Joe Tanner has been at nearly every one of the "Welcome Home's". In addition to his regular duties as the Post 101 Surgeon, Joe has spent countless hours at the Ft. Carson Special Events Center (SEC) and has made every effort to shake the hand of each and every soldier returning from OCONUS. For that reason I have decided to select Joe Tanner as VFW Post Member of the Month.
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Memorial Day Remains Sacred to Many Veterans |
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“Memorial Day is not a day for celebration. We are supposed to show respect and gratitude for our heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” states Mike Esmond, a VFW member and Vietnam War veteran.
In recent years, Esmond has been appalled to see fireworks being sold at his local Winn Dixie and Wal-Mart stores in the days leading up to Memorial Day. He decided something needed to be done to stop the “celebration” of this day.
“Over the years, Memorial Day seems to have lost its meaning. I think the younger generation is losing sight of what the holiday is truly for,” Esmond said, “If we don’t teach these young folks the true meaning of Memorial Day, who will?”
Esmond decided to start writing letters to the Wal-Marts and Winn Dixies of the U.S. explaining the importance of the holiday and what a disgrace it is to him and other veterans, to sell fireworks in “celebration” of a day that should be observed with honor and remembrance of those that gave their lives for this country.
At first, the stores’ representatives responded to the letters by explaining that they have a responsibility to provide their customers with the products they want to purchase, but Esmond and other veterans who joined in on the campaign were not taking no for an answer. The letters continued to pour in and eventually, Esmond and his fellow veterans’ efforts were rewarded.
It was a long battle, but through Esmond’s letter writing campaign, beginning this year, no fireworks will be sold at any Wal-Mart or Winn Dixie in the United States until after the Memorial Day holiday. In fact, Wal-Mart even thanked Esmond for his persistence and guidance on the matter.
“If we don’t remember where we came from, how can we know how to move forward?” Esmond concluded, “We need to remember the past and those sacrifices people made.”
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VFW Post 101 Honor Their Fallen |
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Each year members of Post 101 honor our fallen and this year was no different.
This was written by Kyle Groelich a friend:
To our fallen, the names lost in seas of names, your lives were not lost in vain. Your selfless actions live on each day as freedom. And not just remembered this day but everyday. Thank you warriors of liberty, thank you to all that have paid for the heavy price of freedom. I salute you!
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During the last several weeks we have received and number of inquiries regarding solicitations for food baskets and calling cards. Here is an example of one of those letters:
"Dear Sir,
I received a call about donations for a soldier food drive. After receiving this call I went to your web site to verify any mention of a food drive. I found none. The caller wanted me to leave a check on my front step. This gave me pause once I thought about it so I did not comply. If there is a food program I would appreciate some information to verify I would be donating to a valid cause.
Respectfully,
T. D."
Just to clarify, VFW Post 101 has enlisted the support of a public relations firm in Colorado Springs to solicit funds on our behalf in order for us to provide the following items for our G.I.'s overseas: calling cards, personal toiletries, sunscreen, foot inserts, local newspapers, magazines, food baskets etc.
In addition, your donations will allow us to assist the patients at the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) on Fort Carson, CO. as well as provide a whole host of veteran services to those in our community in need.
I recognize that in these difficult times that we cannot always be as generous as we have been in the past, however it is in these difficult times that needs are the greatest. We, the members of VFW Post 101 appreciate your generosity and support.
In the event that you receive a phone call from an organization asking for donations on behalf of Post 101, be assured that we do have a P.R. firm working on our behalf.
Signed,
Webmaster
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